Week 4: Major League Soccer power rankings

Seattle tops the chart this week, after two dominant performances to open the season, while Real Salt Lake is third after losing to Chivas. Kansas City is the bright spot in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia, with an 0-3-0 record, is ranked last.

19
Philadelphia Union (0-3-0, 0 points)

The record says it all. To have any hope of improvement this season, Philadelphia has to either sort out its goalkeeping problems or start scoring a lot of goals to make up for them. Zac MacMath has the talent — he just has to get over the nerves that come with being a starter at age 20.

This week: vs. Vancouver, Saturday at 2 p.m.

18
Montreal Impact (0-2-1, 1 point)

No surprises here, but it's going to be a long first season for Montreal. Expansion teams always have a tough time; starting from scratch isn't easy.

This week: at New York, Saturday at 2 p.m.

17
New England Revolution (1-2-0, 3 points)

A 1-0 win over Portland isn't enough to pull New England out of the bottom portion of these rankings. Even in that win, the Revolution looked mediocre; luckily for New England, Portland wasn't ready to defend in the first minute on Saturday, or else it could be 0-3-0 right now.

This week: at Los Angeles, Saturday at 9 p.m. (NBC Sports).

16
Toronto FC (0-2-0, 0 points)

Toronto is somewhat of an enigma this year. A good series win against Los Angeles in CONCACAF doesn't make its first two league losses any more impressive, and neither does giving up six goals in those games.

This week: vs. Columbus, Saturday at noon.

15
D.C. United (0-2-1, 1 point)

Last weekend's game in Vancouver showed some improvement for D.C. over the first two games of the season. At the very least, it showed United can grind out a result in a difficult away atmosphere.
This week: vs. Dallas, Friday at 5:30 p.m. (NBC Sports).

14
Columbus Crew (1-1-0, 3 points)

The Crew's opening-day loss to Colorado was less than impressive, and a home win against 10-man Montreal didn't really make up for it.

This week: at Toronto, Saturday at noon.

13
Chivas USA (1-2-0, 3 points)

Even before its 1-0 triumph in Salt Lake, Chivas hadn't looked terrible this season. It kept the game close during 1-0 losses to Houston and Vancouver before turning that scoreline around on RSL.

This week: vs. Kansas City, Sunday at 7 p.m.

12
Colorado Rapids (2-1-0, 6 points)

Colorado's 4-1 loss to New York last weekend showed that although the Eastern Conference is the weaker division, it can still beat Western teams.

This week: vs. Chicago, Sunday at 5 p.m. (Galavision).

11
Portland Timbers (1-1-1, 4 points)

The second season for a new club is usually better than the first, and it looked like Portland would follow that trend after a first-week win against Philadelphia on national television. However, a 1-0 loss to New England last weekend, caused by a lack of focus in the first minute of the game, showed that the Timbers still have some growing pains to deal with.

This week: vs. Salt Lake, Saturday at 8 p.m. (ABC 4/ESPN 700).

10
San Jose Earthquakes (2-1-0, 6 points)

A narrow loss at home to Houston was followed by a 3-0 win in Toronto. Saturday's game will be San Jose's most difficult test of the early season, and it will help show just how much potential this team has.

This week: at Seattle, Saturday at 8 p.m.

9
Vancouver Whitecaps (2-0-1, 7 points)

The Whitecaps look better than last year's team, scoring two wins in two games to start the season. However, a home tie against D.C. doesn't help their ranking.

This week: at Philadelphia, Saturday at 2 p.m.

8
Chicago Fire (1-0-1, 4 points)

Chicago tied Montreal in the Impact's first home game, which is never easy. The Fire then beat Philadelphia in its home-opener, but who hasn't beaten the Union so far this year?

This week: at Colorado, Sunday at 5 p.m. (Galavision).

7
New York Red Bulls (1-2-0, 3 points)

After two games on the road, the Red Bulls thumped Colorado last weekend, alleviating some of the pressure head coach Hans Backe likely felt after his team's slow start. The four-goal explosion — including two from Thierry Henry — showed that New York is still a capable team.

This week: vs. Montreal, Saturday at 2 p.m.

6
FC Dallas (1-1-1, 4 points)

A last-minute loss in Kansas City on Sunday doesn't take away from the fact that Dallas is one of the best attacking teams in the league. Dallas has scored both on set pieces and through the run of play so far this season.

This week: at D.C., Friday at 5:30 p.m. (NBC Sports).

5
Houston Dynamo (2-1-0, 6 points)

Houston has two weeks to rest before finishing its seven-game season-opening road trip. Two 1-0 wins in its first two games were followed up by a shutout loss in Seattle last weekend.

This week: No games.

4
Los Angeles Galaxy (1-1-0, 3 points)

In its first two league games and Champions League quarterfinal series against Toronto, the Galaxy has shown that it might not be otherworldly after all. Question marks on the defensive side of the ball will not subside until Los Angeles can replace defender Omar Gonzalez, who is lost until at least midseason with a torn ACL.

This week: vs. New England, Saturday at 9 p.m. (NBC Sports).

3
Real Salt Lake (2-1-0, 6 points)

RSL followed up wins against reigning champion Los Angeles and New York by losing at home to previously winless Chivas. However, Will Johnson and Nat Borchers are almost fully recovered from their injuries, so the team is almost at full strength again.

This week: at Portland, Saturday at 8 p.m. (ABC 4/ESPN 700).

2
Sporting Kansas City (3-0-0, 9 points)

Late-game heroics against both New England and Dallas have propelled Kansas City to a perfect record early in the season. In the weaker Eastern Conference, Sporting is one of the few bright spots.

This week: at Chivas, Sunday at 7 p.m.

1
Seattle Sounders FC (2-0-0, 6 points)

After a disappointing exit from the CONCACAF Champions League, Seattle thrashed Toronto and beat Houston solidly. David Estrada has four goals in three games, putting him in the early lead for the MLS Golden Boot.